Taking a serious note of allegations that cows are being physically mutilated in order to obtain 'Fit for Slaughter' certificate from the municipal corporation, the Bombay high court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to file its reply by January 17.

A public interest litigation filed by NGO Jeevan Jagruti Trust alleged that various persons physically mutilate cows for acquiring 'Fit for Slaughter' certificate. The NGO's advocate Kamal Kishor Tated argued that malpractice was being carried on to escape the provisions of the law to ban cow slaughter. A cow can be slaughtered only if there is physically defect or mutilation.

"To show that the cows have physical defects, they are made blind by putting tobacco in their eyes or their tails are cut. This is done to get certificate that the animal has physical defects and then taken to Deonar slaughter house," argued Tated.

Replying to the allegations counsel for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) KK Singhvi told the court that none of its officers were responsible for the act. "We only check the animal and issue certificate for slaughter," added Singhvi.

The PIL prays that the acts for protecting animals - Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Rules and Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act - be strictly implemented. A separate committee should be appointed to check such malpracticesa, the PIL further prays.